The Devineni surname holds significant prominence in Vijayawada and gained statewide recognition after the formation of TDP. Devineni Nehru, the first political leader from the family, emerged in 1983. He consecutively won four times (1983, 1985, 1989, 1994) as a TDP candidate in the AP Assembly from Kankipadu (later Penamaluru post-delimitation) constituency.
Following NTR’s demise, Devineni Nehru transitioned to the Lakshmi Parvathi group and later joined the Congress party.
In 1999, he faced defeat for the first time, but in 2004, he successfully contested as a Congress candidate. Meanwhile, his cousin brother, Devineni Venkata Ramana, won as a TDP candidate from Nandigama in 1994 and was re-elected in 1999 but tragically passed away in a train accident.
In the subsequent bye-election, Devineni Umamaheswara Rao stepped into the political scene. Since 2004, he consistently represented the TDP in every general election, initially from Nandigama and later shifting to the Mylavaram segment.
Devineni Uma secured victories in four consecutive elections (1999, 2004, 2009, 2014) but faced defeat in 2019 in Mylavaram. Currently, he is making efforts to secure a TDP ticket again. Surprisingly, the entire TDP cadre, including leaders in the Krishna district, is opposing Devineni’s candidacy in the Mylavaram segment.
This resistance stems from a past mistake where, as an MLA and Minister, Devineni Nehru reportedly neglected the cadre. Complaints were lodged with party leadership, asserting that Devineni had not provided assistance to the cadre.
These negative perceptions continue to influence the present situation. Despite Devineni’s close association with TDP President Chandrababu Naidu, the party leadership seems unable to support him or find an alternative segment. If Devineni Uma fails to secure a ticket, the 2024 general election will mark the first without a Devineni in TDP’s lineup.
